U.S. patent application number 17/012850 was filed with the patent office on 2022-03-10 for conductive bonnet nut for an electronic faucet.
The applicant listed for this patent is Delta Faucet Company. Invention is credited to Adam DeVries.
Application Number | 20220074177 17/012850 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220074177 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DeVries; Adam |
March 10, 2022 |
CONDUCTIVE BONNET NUT FOR AN ELECTRONIC FAUCET
Abstract
An electronic faucet including a delivery spout, a valve
cartridge, a bonnet nut securing the valve cartridge within the
delivery spout, and a handle operably coupled to a valve stem of
the valve cartridge. The bonnet nut is illustratively formed of a
conductive polymer. A contact spring is supported by the valve
stem, wherein an electrically conductive path extends from the
faucet handle, the contact spring, the bonnet nut and the delivery
spout.
Inventors: |
DeVries; Adam; (Anderson,
IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Delta Faucet Company |
Indianapolis |
IN |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/012850 |
Filed: |
September 4, 2020 |
International
Class: |
E03C 1/05 20060101
E03C001/05; E03C 1/04 20060101 E03C001/04 |
Claims
1. An electronic faucet comprising: a first faucet component formed
of an electrically conductive material; a second faucet component
formed of an electrically conductive material; a capacitive sensor
operably coupled to the first faucet component; a controller
operably coupled to the capacitive sensor, an output signal from
the capacitive sensor being supplied to the controller; a mounting
nut threadably coupled to the first faucet component, the mounting
nut being formed of an electrically conductive polymer; a contact
spring extending between a first end and a second end, the first
end in electrical contact with the mounting nut, and the second end
in electrical contact with the second faucet component, the contact
spring formed of an electrically conductive material; and wherein
an electrically conductive path extends from the second faucet
component, the contact spring, the mounting nut and the first
faucet component to the capacitive sensor.
2. The electronic faucet of claim 1, wherein the first faucet
component comprises a faucet spout.
3. The electronic faucet of claim 2, wherein the second faucet
component comprises a faucet handle.
4. The electronic faucet of claim 3, further comprising a valve
cartridge secured within the faucet spout by the mounting nut, the
valve cartridge including a valve stem coupled to the faucet
handle.
5. The electronic faucet of claim 4, wherein the mounting nut
includes external threads, the spout includes internal threads
engaging the external threads of the mounting nut, the valve
cartridge including an outer housing with a lip engaged by a lower
end of the mounting nut.
6. The electronic faucet of claim 5, wherein the contact spring is
received within an upper opening of the mounting nut.
7. The electronic faucet of claim 4, wherein: the faucet handle
includes: a handle body, a receiver defined by the handle body and
including at least one vertically tapered side wall defining a
receiving chamber, a slot extending through the tapered side wall
into the receiving chamber, and a wire form retainer, coupled
around the receiver and being at least partially disposed within
the slot for extending into the receiving chamber; the valve stem
is tapered and includes a retaining groove; and wherein the valve
stem is received within the receiving chamber of the receiver so
that at least a portion of the wire form retainer extends through
the slot of the receiver and is received within the retaining
groove of the valve stem.
8. The electronic faucet of claim 4, further comprising an
electrically operable valve in electrical communication with the
controller.
9. The electronic faucet of claim 8, wherein the valve cartridge
comprises a mixing valve in series with the electrically operable
valve, the mixing valve in fluid communication with a hot water
supply and a cold water supply.
10. The electronic faucet of claim 1, wherein the mounting nut is
formed of a polymer including carbon fibers.
11. The electronic faucet of claim 1, wherein the mounting nut is
formed of a conductive acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.
12. An electronic faucet comprising: a faucet spout formed of an
electrically conductive material; a faucet handle formed of an
electrically conductive material; a capacitive sensor operably
coupled to the faucet spout; a controller operably coupled to the
capacitive sensor, an output signal from the capacitive sensor
being supplied to the controller; a bonnet nut threadably coupled
to the faucet spout, the bonnet nut being formed of an electrically
conductive polymer; an electrically conductive member extending
between a first end and a second end, the first end in electrical
contact with the bonnet nut, and the second end in electrical
contact with the faucet handle; a valve cartridge secured within
the faucet spout by the bonnet nut, the valve cartridge including a
valve stem operably coupled to the faucet handle; and wherein an
electrically conductive path extends from the faucet handle, the
electrically conductive member, the bonnet nut and the faucet spout
to the capacitive sensor.
13. The electronic faucet of claim 12, wherein the electrically
conductive member comprises a metal wire.
14. The electronic faucet of claim 13, wherein the electrically
conductive member comprises a contact spring.
15. The electronic faucet of claim 14, wherein the bonnet nut
includes external threads, the spout includes internal threads
engaging the external threads of the bonnet nut, the valve
cartridge including an outer housing with a lip engaged by a lower
end of the bonnet nut.
16. The electronic faucet of claim 15, wherein the contact spring
is received within an upper opening of the bonnet nut.
17. The electronic faucet of claim 12, wherein: the faucet handle
includes: a handle body, a receiver defined by the handle body and
including at least one vertically tapered side wall defining a
receiving chamber, a slot extending through the tapered side wall
into the receiving chamber, and a wire form retainer, coupled
around the receiver and being at least partially disposed within
the slot for extending into the receiving chamber; the valve stem
is tapered and includes a retaining groove; and wherein the valve
stem is received within the receiving chamber of the receiver so
that at least a portion of the wire form retainer extends through
the slot of the receiver and is received within the retaining
groove of the valve stem.
18. The electronic faucet of claim 12, wherein the bonnet nut is
formed of a polymer including carbon fibers.
19. The electronic faucet of claim 12, wherein the bonnet nut is
formed of a conductive acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.
20. The electronic faucet of claim 12, further comprising an
electrically operable valve in electrical communication with the
controller.
21. The electronic faucet of claim 20, wherein the valve cartridge
comprises a mixing valve in series with the electrically operable
valve, the mixing valve in fluid communication with a hot water
supply and a cold water supply.
22. An electronic faucet comprising: a faucet spout formed of an
electrically conductive material; a faucet handle formed of an
electrically conductive material; a bonnet nut threadably coupled
to the faucet spout, the bonnet nut being formed of an electrically
conductive polymer; a contact spring extending between a first end
and a second end, the first end in electrical contact with the
bonnet nut, and the second end in electrical contact with the
faucet handle, the contact spring formed of an electrically
conductive material; a valve cartridge secured within the faucet
spout by the bonnet nut, the valve cartridge including a valve stem
coupled to the faucet handle; and wherein an electrically
conductive path extends from the faucet handle, the contact spring,
the bonnet nut and the faucet spout.
23. The electronic faucet of claim 22, further comprising: a
capacitive sensor operably coupled to the faucet spout; and a
controller operably coupled to the capacitive sensor, an output
signal from the capacitive sensor being supplied to the
controller.
24. The electronic faucet of claim 22, wherein the bonnet nut
includes external threads, the spout includes internal threads
engaging the external threads of the bonnet nut, the valve
cartridge including an outer housing with a lip engaged by a lower
end of the bonnet nut.
25. The electronic faucet of claim 24, wherein the contact spring
is received within an upper opening of the bonnet nut.
26. The electronic faucet of claim 22, wherein: the faucet handle
includes: a handle body, a receiver defined by the handle body and
including at least one vertically tapered side wall defining a
receiving chamber, a slot extending through the tapered side wall
into the receiving chamber, and a wire form retainer, coupled
around the receiver and being at least partially disposed within
the slot for extending into the receiving chamber; the valve stem
is tapered and includes a retaining groove; and wherein the valve
stem is received within the receiving chamber of the receiver so
that at least a portion of the wire form retainer extends through
the slot of the receiver and is received within the retaining
groove of the valve stem.
27. The electronic faucet of claim 22, wherein the bonnet nut is
formed of a polymer including carbon fibers.
28. The electronic faucet of claim 22, wherein the bonnet nut is
formed of a conductive acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.
29. The electronic faucet of claim 22, further comprising an
electrically operable valve in electrical communication with the
controller.
30. The electronic faucet of claim 29, wherein the valve cartridge
comprises a mixing valve in series with the electrically operable
valve, the mixing valve in fluid communication with a hot water
supply and a cold water supply.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to an electronic
faucet and, more particularly, to a conductive bonnet nut for
providing an electrical flow path between a faucet handle and a
faucet spout.
[0002] Automatic and electronic faucets (hereinafter referred to as
electronic faucets), such as those including capacitive control or
sensing features, are becoming increasingly popular, particularly
in residential households. Exemplary electronic faucets are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,690,395, entitled "Multi-Mode Hands
Free Automatic Faucet", U.S. Pat. No. 8,127,782, entitled
"Multi-Mode Hands Free Automatic Faucet", U.S. Pat. No. 8,528,579,
entitled "Multi-Mode Hands Free Automatic Faucet", U.S. Pat. No.
8,613,419, entitled "Capacitive Coupling Arrangement for a Faucet",
U.S. Pat. No. 8,844,564, entitled "Multi-Mode Hands Free Automatic
Faucet", U.S. Pat. No. 8,944,105, entitled "Capacitive Sensing
Apparatus and Method for Faucets", U.S. Pat. No. 9,243,390,
entitled "Capacitive Sensing Faucet including a Conductive
Polymer", and U.S. Pat. No. 9,243,756, entitled "Capacitive User
Interface", the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated
herein by reference.
[0003] The present invention provides for a conductive polymer
bonnet nut which allows for electronic faucets to create an
electrically conductive path between a handle and a delivery spout
while using an inert material. This allows for bonnet nuts formed
of a consistent material for use with faucets including spouts
formed of a variety of materials. Without this, the bonnet nut
material would need to be compatible with the spout material of
each different faucet to prevent galvanic corrosion.
[0004] According to an illustrative embodiment of the present
disclosure, an electronic faucet includes a first faucet component
formed of an electrically conducted material, a second faucet
component formed of an electrically conducted material, and a
capacitive sensor operably coupled to the first faucet component. A
controller is operably coupled to the capacitive sensor, wherein an
outlet signal from the capacitive sensor is supplied to the
controller. A mounting nut is threadably coupled to the first
faucet component, the mounting nut being formed of an electrically
conductive polymer. A contact spring extends between a first end
and a second end, the first end being in electrical contact with a
mounting nut, and the second end being in electrical contact with
the second faucet component. The contact spring is formed of an
electrically conductive material. An electrically conducted path
extends from the second faucet component, the contact spring, the
mounting nut and the first faucet component to the capacitive
sensor.
[0005] According to a further illustrative embodiment of the
present disclosure, an electronic faucet includes a faucet spout
formed of an electrically conductive material, a faucet handle
formed of an electrically conductive material, and a capacitive
sensor operably coupled to the faucet spout. A controller is
operably coupled in the capacitive sensor, wherein an outlet signal
from the capacitive sensor is supplied to the controller. A bonnet
nut is threadably coupled to the faucet spout, the bonnet nut being
formed of an electrically conductive polymer. An electrically
conductive member extends between a first end and a second end, the
first end in electrical contact with the bonnet nut, and the second
end in electrical contact with the faucet handle. A valve cartridge
is secured within the faucet spout by the bonnet nut, the valve
cartridge including a valve stem operably coupled to the faucet
handle. An electrically conductive path extends from the faucet
handle, the electrically conductive member, the bonnet nut and the
faucet spout to the capacitive sensor.
[0006] According to another illustrative embodiment of the present
disclosure, an electronic faucet includes a faucet spout formed of
an electrically conductive material, a faucet handle formed of an
electrically conductive material, and a bonnet nut threadably
coupled to the faucet spout, the bonnet nut being formed of an
electrically conductive polymer. A contact spring extends between a
first end and a second end, the first end in electrical contact
with the bonnet nut, and the second end in electrical contact with
the faucet handle. The contact spring is formed of an electrically
conductive material. A valve cartridge is secured within the faucet
spout by the bonnet nut, the valve cartridge including a valve stem
operably coupled to the faucet handle. An electrically conducted
path extends from the faucet handle, the contact spring, the bonnet
nut and the faucet spout.
[0007] Additional features and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration
of the following detailed description of the illustrative
embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention
as presently perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The detailed description of the drawings particularly refers
to the accompanying figures in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic faucet
according to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure,
shown mounted to a sink deck;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the illustrative electronic
faucet of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded top perspective view of the
illustrative electronic faucet of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded bottom perspective view of
the illustrative electronic faucet of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of
FIG. 1; and
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the faucet handle coupled to
the valve cartridge of the illustrative electronic faucet of FIG.
1, with a cut-away showing an electrically conductive path
extending from the faucet handle, through the contact spring, and
the mounting nut.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to
the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which are described
herein. The embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed.
Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others
skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. Therefore, no
limitation of the scope of the claimed invention is thereby
intended. The present invention includes any alterations and
further modifications of the illustrated devices and described
methods and further applications of principles in the invention
which would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the
invention relates.
[0016] With reference initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, an electronic
faucet 10 is illustrated as being supported by a conventional
support, such as a mounting or sink deck 12. The illustrative
electronic faucet 10 includes a delivery spout 14 supporting a
water outlet 16 for dispensing water into a sink basin 18 supported
by the sink deck 12. The water outlet 16 may be defined by a
conventional aerator. The delivery spout 14 is illustratively
formed of an electrically conductive material, such as die cast
zinc with a chrome plated or PVD finished surface.
[0017] A manual valve 20 is illustratively supported by the
delivery spout 14 and is fluidly coupled to a hot water source 22
and a cold water source 24. The hot water source 22 and the cold
water source 24 may be defined by conventional water valve stops
(FIG. 1). In an illustrative embodiment, an electrically operable
valve 26 is fluidly coupled in series with, and downstream from,
the manual valve 20. More particularly, a flexible hot water inlet
tube 30 fluidly couples the hot water source 22 to the manual valve
20, and a flexible cold water inlet tube 32 fluidly couples the
cold water source 24 to the manual valve 20. A flexible connecting
tube 34 fluidly couples the manual valve 20 to the electrically
operable valve 26. A flexible outlet tube 36 fluidly couples the
electrically operable valve 26 to the water outlet 16. The tubes
30, 32, 34 and 36 may be formed of a polymer, illustratively a
cross-linked polyethylene (PEX).
[0018] The electrically operable valve 26 is illustratively in
electrical communication with a controller 38. An insulator base 40
is illustratively positioned intermediate the delivery spout 14 and
the sink deck 12. The insulator base 40 illustratively includes a
body 42 formed of an electrically insulating material, such as a
polymer, and supports an indicator light 44. The indicator light 44
is in electrical communication with the controller 38 and may
provide, for example, an indication of faucet status (e.g., on/off,
low battery, etc.) or a parameter of water (e.g., color indicating
temperature, intensity indicating flow rate, etc.) supplied to the
outlet 16. An escutcheon or trim 46 illustratively supports the
insulator base 40.
[0019] The illustrative manual valve 20 includes a valve cartridge
50 having an outer housing 52 receiving an upper (movable) flow
control member 54 and a lower (fixed) flow control member 56 (FIG.
5). The flow control members 54 and 56 may be ceramic discs.
Illustratively, the outer housing 52 is formed of a polymer and is
therefore electrically non-conductive. The flow control members 54
and 56 control the flow of water from hot and cold water inlets 58
and 60 to a mixed water outlet 62 (FIG. 4). The hot water inlet 58
is fluidly coupled to the hot water inlet tube 30, the cold water
inlet 60 is fluidly coupled to the cold water inlet tube 32, and
the mixed water outlet 62 is fluidly coupled to the connecting tube
34.
[0020] The valve cartridge 50 further includes a valve stem 64
operably coupled to the upper flow control member 54. The valve
stem 64 may be formed of a polymer, such as a nylon, and is
therefore electrically non-conductive. The valve cartridge 50 may
be a conventional mixing valve that mixes the hot and cold water
entering the manual valve 20 from inlet tubes 30 and 32,
respectively. In an illustrative embodiment, the valve cartridge 50
may be of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,753,074, entitled
"Mixing Valve", which is expressly incorporated herein by
reference.
[0021] The valve stem 64 is operably coupled to a faucet handle 66
including a body 68 having a base 70 and a blade 72. The handle
body 68 further includes a receiver 74 positioned inwardly from the
base 70. A slot 76 extends within the receiver 74 and receives a
portion of a wire form retainer 78. The wire form retainer 78 may
be comprised of metal or plastic and may be circular, or another
shape with resilient properties. In one illustrative embodiment,
the wire form retainer 78 is formed of stainless steel.
[0022] The receiver 74 of the handle body 68 includes at least one
vertically tapered side wall 82 defining a receiving chamber 84. In
the illustrative embodiment, four vertically tapered side walls
82a, 82b, 82c, 82d define the receiving chamber 84 having a
rectangular transverse cross-section. The slot 76 extends through
the tapered side wall 82a into the receiving chamber 84. The wire
form retainer 78 is coupled around the receiver 74 and is at least
partially disposed within the slot 76 and extends into the
receiving chamber 84.
[0023] As noted above, the delivery spout 14 illustratively
receives and supports the valve cartridge 50 within an opening or
chamber 85. Illustratively, the valve stem 64 of the valve
cartridge 50 is tapered. More particularly, the valve stem 64
includes inclined or tapered surfaces 86a, 86b, 86c, 86d
cooperating with the side walls 82a, 82b, 82c, 82d of the receiver
74. The valve stem 64 illustratively includes a retaining recess or
groove 88 formed within the tapered surface 86a.
[0024] To couple the valve cartridge 50 to the handle 66, the
tapered valve stem 64 is received within the receiving chamber 84
of the receiver 74 so that at least a portion of the wire form
retainer 78 extends through the slot 76 of the receiver 74 and is
received within the retaining groove 88 of the tapered valve stem
64. Additionally, to help limit unwanted movement, the surfaces 86
of the tapered valve stem 64 and the tapered side wall 82 of the
receiver 74 have matching taper angles. Additional details of an
illustrative coupling between the valve stem 64 and the handle 66
are provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/791,455, filed
on Feb. 14, 2020, and entitled "Snap-On Faucet Handle", the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0025] A mounting or bonnet nut 90 illustratively secures the valve
cartridge 50 within the spout 14. The mounting nut 90 includes a
body 92 illustratively formed of a non-metallic, electrically
conductive material. In certain illustrative embodiments, the body
92 is molded from a polymer including carbon fibers. More
particularly, the body 92 may be molded from a conductive
acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.
[0026] The body 92 of the bonnet nut 90 includes a lower portion 94
including a plurality of external threads 96 engaging with internal
threads 97 of opening 85 of the delivery spout 14. An upper portion
98 includes a cylindrical wall 100 including tool engagement
elements, illustratively flats 102. A lower engagement surface 104
engages with an upper flange or rim 106 of the outer housing 52 of
the valve cartridge 50.
[0027] A bonnet cap 108 is positioned around the bonnet nut 90.
More particularly, the bonnet cap 108 includes a semi-spherical
wall 110. Circumferentially spaced fingers 112 extend inwardly from
the wall 110. When assembled, the bonnet cap 108 extends partially
into the handle body 68, and the retaining groove 88 is below an
upper edge of the bonnet cap 108. In other words, the handle 66
captures the valve stem 64 between the tapered receiving chamber 84
in the handle 66 and a wire form retainer 78 that is supported by
the receiver 74. The location of the wire form retainer 78 can be
below the top of the bonnet cap 108 because it does not need to be
accessed during removal or assembly.
[0028] A temperature indicator ring 114 is illustratively received
around the cylindrical wall 100 of the bonnet nut 90. The
temperature indicator ring 114 may be formed of a polymer, such as
a low density polyethylene (LDPE). Illustratively, the temperature
indicator ring 114 may support at least one light emitting diode
(LED)(not shown) electrically coupled to the controller 38 and
configured to provide an indication of water temperature supplied
to the outlet 16. For example, the LED may emit a blue color to
indicate cold water, and a red color to indicate hot water.
[0029] A capacitive sensor 120 is illustratively in electrical
communication with the controller 38 such that an output signal
from the capacitive sensor 120 is supplied to the controller 38.
The capacitive sensor 120 may be electrically coupled to the
delivery spout 14. More particularly, an electrode 122 may be
coupled to the delivery spout 14. Illustratively, the electrode 122
may be the delivery spout 14 itself, a portion thereof, or a metal
element coupled thereto.
[0030] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, an electrical coupling 124
defines an electrically conductive path 126 between the delivery
spout 14 and the faucet handle 66. An electrically conductive
member provides electrical communication between the delivery spout
14 and the faucet handle 66. Illustratively, the conductive member
is a contact spring 128 including a metal wire 130 defining a coil
132. The wire 130 of the contact spring 128 extends between a first
end 134 and a second end 136. The coil 132 receives the valve stem
64 wherein the first end 134 is in electrical contact with the
mounting nut 90, and the second end 136 is in electrical contact
with the faucet handle 66. More particularly, the first end 134 of
the contact spring 128 is received within an upper opening 138 of
the mounting nut 90. The second end 136 of the contact spring 128
extends around and is in contact with the receiver 74 of the faucet
handle 66.
[0031] The outlet 62 of the valve cartridge 50 is fluidly coupled
to the electrically operable valve 26, which is controlled
electronically by input signals from the controller 38. In an
illustrative embodiment, the electrically operable valve 26 is a
magnetically latching pilot-controlled solenoid valve.
[0032] Because the electrically operable valve 26 is controlled
electronically by the controller 38, flow of water can be
controlled using outputs from sensors as discussed herein. As shown
in FIG. 2, when the electrically operable valve 26 is open, the
electronic faucet 10 may be operated in a conventional manner,
i.e., in a manual control mode through operation of the handle 66
and the flow control member 54 of the manual valve 20. Conversely,
when the manual valve 20 is set to select a water temperature and
flow rate, the electrically operable valve 26 can be touch (or
proximity) controlled, by the capacitive sensor 120 when an object
(such as a user's hands) is in contact with the spout 14 (or are
within a detection zone adjacent the spout 14) to toggle water flow
on and off.
[0033] Although the invention has been described in detail with
reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and
modifications exist within the spirit and scope of the invention as
described and defined in the following claims.
* * * * *